Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
KADE
“Another month of being gone?” Kelly huffs. “Are you really going to be able to take that much time off and jump back in? I know I’ve been able to manage, but with new deals coming up, we need you in the office.”
I scrub a hand through my hair. “I’m doing the best I can here. It’s not easy.”
“Do you plan on coming back?” Kelly asks.
The million-dollar question.
Do I plan on going home to Seattle?
On the one hand, it’d be a nice influx of cash for the ranch. Something that I desperately need right now.
But leaving Presley and Poppy? I rub my fist over my heart. I don’t know if I could take that.
“Send me the final Brissett account documents and I’ll look those over.” I ignore her question. “I’ll give my seal of approval.”
“When I didn’t hear back from you, I sent them to Jake.” Her voice is hesitant.
“What, now I can’t even do the one job I’m good at?” I mutter, more to myself than anyone. “Fine. If there’s anything that I do need to do, let me know.”
“I’ll hopefully see you soon.”
She ends the call.
See you soon.
I have no idea when I’ll be heading back. It’s like I’m between a rock and a hard place. Both parts of my life are pulling at me.
Do I go with what’s safe and secure, and leave town again? Or do I keep doing what I’ve been doing? Stay and show up for the two most important people in my life?
I drop my phone onto my desk, needing to ignore it for a little while. A few of the guests staying with us are heading into the early dinner seating when my voice is shouted from behind me.
“There he is. We’ve been wandering around looking for you.”
Shit. I spaced my mom and Grace coming over to check out the ranch and having dinner here with me.
I spin on my boots, trying not to look like I forgot. “Mom. Grace. I’m glad you’re here.”
“You forgot, didn’t you?” Grace asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“What? No.” Of course they can see through my lie. “I got stuck on a work call.”
“Ranch work or Seattle work?” Mom pecks my cheek.
“Seattle work.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She waves me off and hooks her arm through my elbow. “Now, show us what you’ve been doing.”
I give the two of them a tour of the lodge, some of the guest rooms, and take them out to the barn.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” I say.
“Kade.” Mom turns wide eyes on me. “You should be proud of yourself, Kade. I know Verne would be.”
I kick at a rock in the dirt and blow out a breath. Gas lamps light up the trail as night starts to settle in.
“Really? Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if he’d hate all these changes we’re making. ‘Too modern or fussy,’ he’d say.”
“If he didn’t trust you, he wouldn’t have left you the ranch,” Mom says.
“It’s a night and day difference,” Grace agrees. “If I didn’t have a degree in teaching, I’d come work for you.”
“Is this you asking for a job?” I laugh.
“God, no. The last thing I want is to work for you.”
“What love from you two.” Mom rolls her eyes.
I laugh, draping an arm over my sister’s shoulders and heading back toward the lodge.
“C’mon. We have a new tasting menu we’re trying out and I want your opinion on it.”
“You know I’ll never say no to trying new foods.” Mom claps her hands, following the two of us.
“And maybe you can finally tell us what’s going on with you and Presley,” Grace says.
“Is this why you guys wanted to come over?”
“I wanted to see the ranch,” Mom says.
“Yes,” Grace answers at the same time.
I shake my head, opening the door for them. “You know, I forgot how nosey you can be, sis.”
She gives me the smile that only annoying siblings can give you. “You know, if you were more open about things, I wouldn’t have to be so nosey.”
“Leave your brother alone.” Mom swats at her. “Let him keep his business to himself.”
“You get to eat tonight.” I laugh, pointing at Mom.
“Rude,” Grace exclaims. “And to think I helped you choose a gift for Poppy.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
That’s another subject that I’m going to figure out how to broach with them later. Telling them Poppy is my daughter. But considering we haven’t even told Poppy that I’m her dad, I can’t really tell them anything yet.
Rex greets us in the kitchen, showing us to the back tasting table. Waiters are bustling in and out, delivering trays of food.
It’s one thing that people are really liking. Sure, reviews are left on the rooms and the ranch as a whole, but right now? The biggest draw is the food.
Thank God Rex agreed to stay. Without him, I would have had to cut my losses and sell this place off.
He brings over small plates of some new dishes, explaining what they are. I don’t know that much about what he’s serving—all I know is they are fucking delicious.
“You know, it’s a good thing I don’t work here because I’d want to eat this all the time.” Grace wipes her mouth off, savoring the whipped brie.
“Pretty fucking thankful that I work outside all day to stay in shape.”
“As long as you’re eating.” Mom points her fork at me. “I still say you’re too skinny.”
“You worry too much, Mom,” I say. “I’m fine.”
“It’s a parent’s duty to worry about their child,” she huffs.
Her words hit differently than they ever have before. I’ve only known that Poppy is mine for a little while. And I would do anything for that girl. When I get her in the afternoons, I want to make sure she’s safe. Happy, but safe.
I want to ask her if the worrying ever stops. I have a feeling I know the answer, but it doesn’t make me want to ask her any less. Get her best parenting tips.
Whenever we do tell Poppy, and I can finally tell my mom and sister, I know they’ll love that little girl as much as I do.
“I’m going to go snag some dessert for us to take home,” Grace says.
I smile at her as she scoots out of the booth to go talk to Rex.
Mom aims a pensive look my direction. “You are happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”
I poke the remaining food on my plate. “Some days yes, some days no.”
“Anything I can help with?”
“I just need to figure out things here and back in Seattle.”
“I hope Pinecrest wins out. Not that I don’t mind Seattle, but I like having you close by.”
“I know, Mom.”
“It’s your life and you don’t have to take us into consideration, but it’d be nice to have you home.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She finishes her dinner and I walk the two of them out, waving goodbye with the promise to stop by over the weekend for brunch.
These are things I didn’t have in Seattle. I would have gone back to the office at this point. Hell, I never would have left.
It’s not like I have great balance here, what with all my time spent fixing up the ranch, but I have more of a life here than I ever did in Seattle.
Maybe it’s not only about staying and fighting for this thing between me and Presley. Maybe it’s also about finding where I’m supposed to be. Until a clear picture comes to me, I feel like I’m stuck in limbo.
With the weight of too many people counting on me, I only hope I make the right choice.